Cape Verde, a tiny island nation ranked 67th in the world, took a shock lead against two-time World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup, courtesy of a long-range free-kick from Kevin Pina. The moment encapsulated a tournament where the gap between football's established giants and its emerging nations appears narrower than ever.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32. The expanded format gives more nations a chance to compete on the biggest stage, but also raises the possibility of more unpredictable results. Cape Verde, for instance, are making their second World Cup appearance, having debuted in 2022. Their 2-2 draw with Uruguay in Group H, combined with Uruguay's earlier 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, has left the South Americans needing at least a point against Spain to advance. Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, dropped for the Cape Verde match after a poor performance against Saudi Arabia, came on as a substitute but could not inspire his side to victory. His goal drought for Uruguay now stretches back to June 2024.
“How Cape Verde and other minnows are causing shocks at the 2026 World Cup”
The tournament has also seen other tight contests. Belgium, another traditional powerhouse, could only manage a 0-0 draw with Iran in Group G, with Thibaut Courtois and Alireza Beiranvand both starring in goal. The result leaves top spot in the group up for grabs.
Underdog stories are part of the World Cup's fabric, but the expansion has accelerated a trend. Lower-ranked teams are more organised, better prepared, and less fearful of reputations. Cape Verde's ranking of 67th, compared to Uruguay's 11th, made their result a shock, but not an anomaly. Saudi Arabia's draw with Uruguay—after famously beating Argentina in 2022—shows these nations are no longer pushovers.
For UK readers, the 2026 World Cup offers a chance to see England face teams they might not normally meet. The Three Lions, who reached the final in 2022, are again among the favourites. But the upsets serve as a warning: no game is a guaranteed win. Fans also have a vested interest in players like Darwin Nunez, a former Liverpool striker whose struggles have been linked to a potential return to Anfield after the tournament. Reports from South America suggested Nunez had signed a deal to re-join Liverpool, though many outlets dismissed the speculation. His poor form—he was de-registered at Saudi club Al Hilal to make way for Karim Benzema—has only heightened scrutiny.
Q: How do smaller teams like Cape Verde cause upsets at the World Cup? They rely on defensive discipline, set-piece efficiency, and the element of surprise. Cape Verde's Kevin Pina scored directly from a free-kick against Uruguay, while their team cohesion and tactical organisation under manager Bubista have made them hard to break down.
Q: Why was Darwin Nunez dropped by Uruguay, and what is his future? Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa dropped Nunez after a poor display in the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia. The striker, who won the Premier League with Liverpool before moving to Al-Hilal, has not scored for Uruguay since June 2024. Reports claim he might return to Liverpool after the World Cup, but those rumours have been widely dismissed.
Q: How does the expanded 48-team format affect the competition? It allows more nations to qualify, increasing the chances of mismatches and upsets. Groups are smaller (three or four teams), and the knockout stages start later. Critics argue it dilutes quality, but supporters say it grows the global game. Early results in 2026 suggest the gap is closing.
Uruguay face Spain on June 27 in a must-win game to avoid elimination. Cape Verde take on Saudi Arabia on the same day, with a chance to reach the knockout stages for the first time. Meanwhile, Belgium must avoid defeat against Morocco in their final group match to guarantee progress. The tournament's unpredictable nature means more drama is almost certain to follow.